The papers were bought at Sotheby's in 1964. They consist of 120 documents, mainly letters from Barrie to his mother, with a few to his step-father and to his half sisters, Fannie and Eliza, written between 1797 and 1812. There are also a few official and semi-official letters received and drafts of letters sent and a collection of documents relating to Lucien Bonaparte

Administrative / biographical background
Robert Barrie was born in Florida in 1774. His mother was a sister of Admiral Alan Gardner. After the death of Barrie's father she married George Clayton of Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancashire. Barrie entered the navy in his uncle's ship in 1786. He sailed on Vancouver's expedition 1791-1794, and was promoted lieutenant in 1795 and to captain in 1802. He commanded the BRILLIANT on the Irish Station between 1804 and 1805 and the POMONE in the Channel and the Mediterranean between 1806 and 1811. In 1810 he was responsible for apprehending Lucien Bonaparte, Prince of Canino, one of Bonaparte's brothers, and his family who were subsequently sent to England where they remained until 1814. In 1811 the POMONE was wrecked but Barrie was acquitted at his court martial. He commanded the DRAGON on the North American Station 1813 to 1815. From 1819 to 1834 he was Superintendant of HM Dockyard Kingston, Canada. See: biographical article by T L Brock with a family memoir and notes on Barrie's ancestry, and transcripts of his Canadian letters in BGY/19. See also: Section 4 (DXN) diaries of Anne Dixon, nee Gardner (1733-1803), sister of Admiral Lord Gardner and Barrie's aunt.